TN/CTD/37  
 
12 February  2024 
(24-1203) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Trade and Development  
Special Session    
 
 
COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT, SPECIAL SESSION  
REPORT BY THE CHAIRPERSON TO THE GENERAL COUNCIL1 
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1.  As you are aware, at the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) WTO Members reaffirmed that the 
provisions of special and differential treatment for developing countries and LDCs form an integral 
part of the WTO and its agreements. Ministers also instructed us to continue to work on improving 
the application of special and differential treatment provisions and rep ort on progress to the General 
Council before MC13.  
2.  Since MC12, we held five formal sessions (on 23 September 2022, 20 March 2023, 7  June 2023, 
23 November 2023 and 8 February 2024) with a view to examining the 10 agreement -specific 
proposals (ASPs) put fo rward by the G -90.2  
3.  In 2023 the discussions on the G -90 proposals started at the March meeting based on their 
submission contained in JOB/TN/CTD/2 . At the same meeting, Members expressed readiness to have 
focused discussions on each of the 10 agreement -specific proposals, including through thematic 
sessions. I also indicated my intention to appoint five facilitators, who would be taking up two ASPs 
each, to advance the discussions.  
4.  The G -90 circulated new textual proposals on SPS and TBT in May 2023 ( JOB/TN/CTD/3  and 
JOB/TN/CTD/3/Corr.1 ) which was taken up at the June 2023 meeting. I appointed Singapore 
(Mr Jia Jie Loh) as Facilitator for the ASPs relating to SPS and TBT.  
5.  On 4 October, Members held an informal thematic session on SPS and TBT matters unde r the 
facilitation of Singapore. A brief account of discussions at the thematic session is contained in the 
facilitator's statements issued as JOB/TN/CTD/5 . These two ASPs were also discussed at the CTD SS 
meeting held in November 2023.  
6.  In 2024, with a view to exploring outcomes in the area of SPS and TBT, the facilitator held several 
consultations with Members, including two small group meetings on 19 and 24 January. The outcome 
of these consultations, including an assessment of his work undertaken sinc e his appointment, is 
contained in document TN/CTD/36 . Members also had a discussion on his report to the CTD SS 
meeting held on 8 February.  
7.  At the CTD SS meeting held on 8 February, the G -90 introduced their new textual submissions 
on the following three ASP s, covering balance of payments (Section B of GATT Article XVIII), 
trade-related investment measures (TRIMS Agreement) and technology transfer (Article 66.2 of the 
TRIPS Agreement). I appointed Mr Eduardo Terada Kosmiskas (Brazil) and Mr Joel Richards 
(Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) as facilitators for discussions on TRIMS and technology transfer 
(Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement), respectively.  
 
1 The report is issued under the Chair's own responsibility.  
2 The minutes of the CTD SS formal sessions are contained in documents: TN/CTD/M/57 ; TN/CTD/M/58 ; 
TN/CTD/M/59 ; and TN/CTD/M/60  respectively. The minutes for the 61st session will be issued as TN/CTD/M/61 . TN/CTD/37  
 
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  8.  My overall assessment is that the facilitator -led process is a useful one. We are currently in the 
middle of it. While we have already held some technical -level discussions on SPS and TBT, from the 
facilitator's report it was evident that more time and work would be required after MC13 to define 
the scope of possible solutions, with regard to these two ASPs. M embers have noted the new textual 
proposals on ASPs related to balance of payments, TRIMS and technology transfer. In addition, the 
proponents have also indicated that they intend to circulate textual proposals on the remaining ASPs 
very soon. I believe we  have a lot of work in front of us, and we need to continue this work until and 
after MC13. I am hopeful that with deeper engagement on the issues identified by G -90 in their 
proposals, we will collectively be able to find solutions to the underlying probl ems.  
9.  As we prepare for the work ahead, it is encouraging that WTO Members are currently considering 
language on special and differential treatment in the context of the MC13 Outcome Document. At 
the same time, if Members feel that there is a scope to engage in substantive discussions in the 
lead-up to MC13, I remain available to help you find a possible landing zone.  
10.  I would like to highlight that negotiations on trade and development are important for the G-90, 
and they also have a crucial significance for the  entire WTO membership. The world is waiting and 
watching the WTO delivering on development. I believe that with the right amount of political will, 
commitment and pragmatism, we can do it, and we have to do it right. In my capacity as the 
Chairperson of t he CTD SS, I stand ready to support Members in any way I can.  
 
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